Standing & Program Committees

The American Public Works Association has several standing committees of the board to assist in the governance and internal affairs of the association. Members of these committees serve by virtue of their positions on the APWA Board of Directors or by appointment by the President-Elect. The people on APWA committees and councils are current association members, unless otherwise noted.

Accreditation Council

The council reviews results of the site accreditation team's findings of public works agencies' applications for accreditation and determines accreditation status. It is comprised of public works professionals and members of allied professions such as city/county management, government finance, law, public administration, human resource management, planning, and others involved in administration of local, regional, state, provincial and federal government agencies. A minimum of four voting members shall be from an Accredited Agency. The Council meets face-to-face at PWX each year, other meetings may be held by conference call. Balloting is conducted by email with a short-turn-around time. Members of the council may not serve as accreditation or re-accreditation site evaluators during their term on the Council.

The ideal candidate would come from an agency accredited through the APWA Accreditation Program. This person would have been involved in the accreditation process for their agency and have knowledge of the Public Works Management Practices Manual.

Audit Committee

The committee is responsible for the selection, compensation, and oversight of the APWA auditing firm as well as review of the annual audit reports. The Audit Committee holds up to three conference call meetings per year, depending on requests of the audit firm prior to, during or post audit fieldwork; whether any management letter comments and/or findings are noted by the audit firm which require corrective action, and the audit firm selection cycle.

The ideal candidate will have served as a Chapter Treasurer and/or have accounting experience.

Awards Committee

The committee reviews all awards other than Top Ten Leaders of the Year, Project of the Year, Manager of the Year, Excellence in Snow and Ice and PACE awards, and selects recipients according to established criteria. The Awards Committee holds one conference call meeting of approximately two hours in length in the spring, and may require 12 to 14 hours of reviewing documents prior to the call.

The ideal candidate would have served on the awards committee at the chapter level or have prepared nominations for awards.

Awards Committee: Project of the Year Awards

The committee reviews nominations for the Public Works Project of the Year Awards and selects recipients according to established criteria. The committee is divided into four groups of five members. Each group contributes 15-20 hours for reviewing their section of the submitted projects, plus participates in one conference call meeting lasting approximately one hour.

The ideal candidate would have served on the awards committee at the chapter level or have prepared nominations for awards.

Awards Committee: Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award

Comprised of five members who are Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year recipients from previous years, the Committee reviews nominations for the Top Ten Leaders of the Year award and selects recipients according to established criteria. The Committee holds one conference call meeting, of approximately one-hour duration, in the spring and members contribute eight to ten hours time for review of documents prior to the call.

All candidates must be previous Top 10 Public Works Leader Award recipients.

Canadian Public Works Association

The CPWA Board of Directors (CPWA) has responsibility for identifying, drafting, and leading the promotion of CPWA’s public policy priorities to Members of Parliament, the Senate of Canada, and federal departments. The CPWA drafts public policy priorities for each annual budget cycle that are representative of the priorities of APWA’s broad membership in Canada. CPWA Directors are expected to have direct experience and interest in at least one of CPWA’s public policy priority areas (Asset Management, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Engineering and Technology, Transportation, Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way, and Water/Environmental Management) and to actively contribute to the development and advocacy of CPWA’s public policy priorities.

CPWA Directors consistently participate in monthly conference calls and attend the CPWA’s two annual face-to-face meetings – the spring meeting in Ottawa, ON, and the fall meeting at PWX. During the Ottawa meeting, CPWA Directors meet with key Members of Parliament, Senators, and officials from federal departments. CPWA Directors also work within their chapters to promote advocacy as an organizational priority, as well as CPWA’s public policy priorities.

The ideal candidate must have a pride in public works as a profession and a passion for representing, and advocating for, public works – both broad (e.g. infrastructure funding) and specific (e.g. barriers to mutual aid) – of Canadian members of APWA; direct experience and interest in at least one of CPWA’s public policy priority areas; acquaintance with public works and infrastructure issues at the federal, provincial, territorial and/or municipal level; awareness of federal policies and programs that impact public works; and participation in advocacy and outreach efforts – ideally regarding public works and infrastructure – at the local, provincial/territorial, and/or federal level. Involvement with the advocacy efforts of his/her chapter is ideal, but involvement with the advocacy efforts of another association is also beneficial.

Center for Sustainability Leadership Group

The Center’s Leadership Group oversees and leads the APWA Center for Sustainability (C4S) as it develops programs and activities to support sustainability in public works. Center leaders meet monthly by conference call and are also asked to serve as liaison to another APWA technical or standing committee. Two face-to-face meetings are held annually- a 1 1/2 day meeting in winter/spring, and a meeting held at PWX. Center leaders are involved in Center projects, with most work being accomplished by conference calls and online document review.

The ideal candidate has direct experience or interest in areas related to sustainability in public works; experience in sustainability areas that fall outside APWA’s technical committee focus areas (e.g. climate adaptation, carbon accounting, social equity, workplace safety, community health and engagement, etc.) is preferable; maintains a sustainability-related credential(s), such as ENV-SP, LEED AP, STP, etc. – and/or has experience using rating/certification system(s) such as Envision, LEED for New Construction, LEED for Cities, Greenroads, STAR Communities, etc.; is familiar with trends, best practices, innovations, and new technologies related to sustainability, particularly when implemented by and/or coordinated with public works; or is involved with the sustainability committee of his/her chapter or the sustainability efforts of other associations at the local, regional or national level.

Certification Council

Voting members of the Council include a CPFP representative, a CPII
representative, a CSM representative, a CPWP representative, a Fleet
Services Committee member, an Engineering & Technology Committee
member, a Water Resource Management Committee member, a Leadership &
Management Committee member, and three APWA members. The council
governs and oversees the delivery of APWA’s certification programs and
is responsible for establishing overall policies that will govern all
APWA certifications, as well as having oversight of all of the APWA
certification programs. The Council works with task forces to update
content outlines, exam questions and conduct outreach efforts. The
Council typically conducts one face-to-face meeting at PWX.

The ideal candidate for the general APWA member position should have a
solid overall understanding of public works and be a willing advocate
for the interests of the general public.

Committee for Diversity and Inclusion

The Committee advances diversity and inclusiveness issues throughout the
association, placing value on all individuals and the different
perspectives of those individuals, and promoting the process for all to
feel included as part of the whole. The Committee holds monthly one-hour
conference calls and a committee meeting at PWX.

The ideal candidate is a member with awareness, exposure, interest and
passion for diversity and inclusion issues who is committeed to being
engaged. Areas of expertise which would contribute to the committee’s
work include individals from private consulting and manufacturing;
operations, maintenance and administration areas of public works; or
human resource managers with exposure to hiring processes.

Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has responsibility for identifying, drafting, and leading the promotion of APWA’s public policy priorities to the US Congress and federal agencies. The GAC drafts public policy priorities representative of APWA’s broad membership and obtains approval from APWA’s Board of Directors on the identified priorities per each Congressional cycle, every two years. GAC members are expected to have direct experience and interest in at least one of the public policy priority areas of transportation, water, emergency preparedness and response, and to actively contribute to public policy drafting, review, and the advocacy of adopted policies. Further, GAC members are required to consistently participate in monthly conference calls and attend the committee’s two annual face-to-face meetings—the spring meeting in Washington, D.C. and the late summer meeting at PWX. During the D.C. meeting, GAC members meet with key members/offices of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and federal government agencies. GAC members also work within their chapters/branches to promote advocacy as an organizational priority and APWA’s public policy priorities. Additionally, GAC members contribute the monthly “GAC Insight” column for the APWA Reporter.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong interest in public policy and current events. They must have direct experience working in at least one of APWA’s priority areas of transportation, water, and emergency management so they are able to bring that “real world,” firsthand knowledge to the policy process on behalf of APWA. A member of the GAC must be able and willing to attend the GAC spring meeting held each year in Washington, D.C. and be comfortable speaking on behalf of APWA to elected officials and their staff, as well as policymakers in the federal government broadly. The ideal GAC candidate must also be committed to supporting APWA’s strategic goal of being “the voice of public works to government leaders and media” by promoting advocacy and advocacy outreach within and through their chapters/branches to promote public works and APWA’s public policy priorities at the local and state levels.

International Affairs Committee

The IAC works to facilitate the exchange of ideas, promote and provide a forum of international transfer of effective and/or innovative public works technology, operations and management practices and support between public works professionals around the globe as they strive to provide for the needs of the people they serve. The IAC holds one monthly conference call meeting and an annual face-to-face meeting at PWX. Each IAC member is also asked to participate in a subcommittee which meet via conference call as needed. Additional contribution of time is based upon commitment of committee members to various assignments.

The ideal candidate has an interest in educational and cultural exchanges, as well as fostering relationships with individuals from around the globe. Nominees should be willing to commit to participating in monthly conference calls, be engaged in an IAC Subcommittee and attend the annual face-to-face meeting at PWX.

Professional Development Committee

The PDC provides oversight, guidance, support and coordination for all APWA’s professional development, education and training programs. The committee will participate every year in a combined meeting or in a collaborative effort that addresses the objectives of the committee and the APWA strategic plan. These expenses are reimbursable for committee members. The Professional Development Committee will also meet one day prior to PWX. Committee members shall commit to fund their own travel and expenses to attend the committee meeting held at PWX. Generally, each committee meets by conference call up to ten times per year for approximately one‐hour.

The ideal candidate will have a general understanding of APWA’s education programs at both the national and chapter level, and how they relate to the association’s mission. All members of APWA are encouraged to apply, however the committee seeks at least one member from the following groups: nationally‐approved Public Works Institute (PWI) representative, Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) graduate; Certification Council member; Council of Chapters member; LTAP representative; or Canadian member.

PWX Program Review Committee

The Committee guides the topic selection for the annual PWX, judges proposals, provides vision for new educational areas, suggests different training formats and provides contacts with speakers nationally. Committee members are required to attend a two-day meeting in January in Kansas City, Missouri. Additional time commitments include availability for a six-week period in mid-November through January to read and rank approximately 375 proposals prior to the January meeting.

The ideal candidate will have experience in and a broad-based knowledge of the various public works functions, including current issues/challenges, emerging technologies, and solutions.

Small Cities/Rural Communities Committee

The Committee's mission is to support small cities and rural communities that operate, improve and maintain public works and infrastructure through advocacy, education and member engagement. The SC/RC committee holds monthly conference call meetings, an annual face-to-face meeting at PWX and one spring meeting during even numbered years.

The ideal candidate is a professional with well-rounded field work knowledge. Diversity on the committee within operational areas of Public Works will be considered.

Snow Conference Program Review Committee

Comprised of members from the snow-belt region, the Committee guides the topic selection for the annual North American Snow Conference, judges proposals and provides contacts with speakers nationally. Previous attendance at a North American Snow Conference is preferred and should be noted when submitting a nomination biography. The Committee holds an annual one-day face-to-face meeting in the fall and members contribute three to four hours of review of proposals prior to the meeting.

The ideal candidate will be a member of APWA’s Winter Maintenance Subcommittee and have a broad-based knowledge of the current issues/challenges, emerging technologies, and solutions for today’s snowfighters and winter maintenance professionals.

Young Professionals Committee

The Young Professionals Committee supports the APWA strategic priority to "create opportunities for engagement of students, young professionals and emerging leaders through new and positive experiences." Principal objectives of the Young Professionals Committee are to provide more educational and professional development opportunities for younger members of APWA (age 35 and younger) and to enhance the opportunities for younger members to have interaction with other members and to participate in chapter and national events. The committee is made up of nine individuals, one from each of APWA’s nine regions, and meets monthly by conference call and face-to-face each year at PWX.

The ideal candidate would be a member of APWA 35 years of age or younger (preferred), has been actively involved in their chapter, served as a chapter committee chair or in another leadership position, and/or a graduate from the Emerging Leaders Academy. The committee is looking for a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds.